Only one miner, Vic Benco, responded with a story related to
religion. In his words, "Its been said that she [St.
Barbara--patron saint of coal miners.] led about 25 miners out of
the mine after a collapse of the mine roof. They followed a bright
light." Though he gave no indication of where he found this story, it
does show some evidence of this practice. Richard Marcavitch also
stated that outside the Maple Creek Mine entrance, there is an icon
of Saint Barbara.

In "Mining Engineering" (November 1985), there is an article on Saint
Barbara. This article provides the most discussion of religion in
coal mining. Saint Barbara was a young virgin who defied her father
and decided not to marry. Because of this he kept her in a tower. She
ordered some workmen to alter the tower while her father was away,
thus becoming the saint of architects. After finding out about this
her father chased her to the hills where she was swallowed up by the
hill. This is how she became the patron saint of miners. Her name is
attached to Santa Barbara, California. There is a prayer for miners
dedicated to Saint Barbara.

"As I now descend into the dark bowels of the earth, I beseech
thee, sweet Barbara, that I be kept safe from harm, for it liketh me
not that I rush unbidden into God's presence."

There is other religious aspects to the coal mining industry. An
advertisement for miners from 1904 says:

"O Lord after I have worked my last day and come out of the
earth and have placed my feet on Thy footstool, let me use the tools
of prudence, faith, hope and charity. From now on till I will be
called to sign my last pay roll, make all the cables in the machinery
strong with Thy love. Supply all the gang ways, slopes, and chambers
with the pure air of Thy grace ad let the light of hope be my
guidance, and when my last picking and shoveling is done, may my last
car be full of Thy grace and give me the Holy Bible for my last
shift, so that Thou, the General Superintendent of all the collieries
can say: "Well done, thou good, faithful miner come, and sign the pay
roll and receive the check of eternal happiness." Amen"

Religion has certainly subsided from those days. There is no major
push for religion in the mines. The men have scattered from the
ethnic enclaves in the patches which fostered a sense of
religion.